On escalating trafficking and exploitation by criminal groups in Haiti

B100230/2026

European Parliament resolution on escalating trafficking and exploitation by criminal groups in Haiti

(2026/2702(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Haiti,

having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Haiti is experiencing a severe collapse of state institutions, with armed criminal groups controlling large parts of key infrastructure and transport routes, particularly in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, where dozens of such groups operate and are estimated to control up to 80–90% of the city;

whereas children are disproportionately affected, being systematically recruited, trafficked, and exploited by gangs for criminal activities, sexual purposes, and forced labour with a near-total impunity for perpetrators; whereas child recruitment to gangs has risen sharply in the past year, with children estimated to account for between 30% and 50% of gang members; whereas an estimated 500,000 children live in areas under the control of criminal groups;

whereas Haiti’s judicial system is largely non-functional, contributing to widespread impunity; whereas a large proportion of health and education facilities remain closed or non-operational due to insecurity;

whereas escalating gang violence has significantly contributed to the internal displacement of an estimated 1.4 million people, leaving many families without access to healthcare, clean water, sanitation, food, education, or adequate shelter;

whereas widespread displacement, poverty, food insecurity and the collapse of essential services have significantly increased vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation leading to the use of sexual violence, rape and sexual slavery, by gangs, as a tool of intimidation, punishment and territorial control;

whereas the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission / Gang Suppression Force, authorised by the UN Security Council, has faced significant challenges, limiting its ability to restore security;

whereas trafficking networks in Haiti are linked to broader transnational criminal activities, including drug trafficking, illicit arms flows, and money laundering;

Condemns all forms of exploitation, violence, trafficking of individuals in Haiti, in particular the widespread abuse of children and women by criminal groups;

Expresses deep concern at the systematic use of sexual violence and forced recruitment as tools of control by armed gangs;

Urges the Haitian authorities, with the support of the EU and other international partners, to step up efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and prosecute perpetrators;

Urges the international community to support accountability mechanisms for human rights violations and efforts toward rebuilding Haiti’s justice system and the rule of law;

Calls for strengthened action against transnational criminal networks linked to Haiti, including measures targeting illicit arms flows and financial networks facilitating trafficking;

Calls on international partners to coordinate efforts to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation, including support for food security, healthcare, and protection of vulnerable groups;

Encourages regional actors to play a constructive role in promoting stability, mediation, and assistance to the Haitian people;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Member States, the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, and the authorities of Haiti.